Canada Extends Wine Sector Support Program for Three Years With $176.9 Million
The Canadian federal government has extended the Wine Sector Support Program for three years, providing $176.9 million in financial support to licensed wineries starting in 2027-28. Announced in the 2026-27 budget released on November 5, the extension aims to provide stability and planning certainty for the industry, particularly in Nova Scotia where it supports over 1,000 jobs.
The Canadian federal government has extended the Wine Sector Support Program for three years, allocating $176.9 million in financial support to licensed wineries beginning in the 2027-28 fiscal year. The extension was included in the 2026-27 federal budget released on November 5.
This announcement extends a previous three-year iteration of the program that was announced in March 2024. The original initiative was introduced in August 2022 by then-deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland, providing $166 million over two years.
Under the program, wineries apply for non-repayable grants based on their production of bulk wine fermented in Canada from domestic or imported primary agricultural products. The funding is expected to maintain net operating income, regional production levels, and the number of licensed producers across the country. It also supports reinvestment into businesses and helps manage higher production costs in regions such as Nova Scotia compared to other parts of the country.
Kings-Hants MP Kody Blois stated that the wine industry supports more than 1,000 jobs directly and indirectly in rural Nova Scotia. Beyond employment, the sector encourages tourism by linking winery visits across different regions of the province.
Industry leaders welcomed the extension as essential for long-term investment and cost management. Gina Luckett, CEO of Luckett Vineyards, said the extension provides certainty for an industry that plans five and 10 years out. Christopher Gourley, CEO of Horse Thief Vineyard, described the program as "bankable" and helpful for profit and launch projections.